DEREK HUDSON EPSOM MUSIC TEACHER GUILTY OF SEXUAL ABUSE AND CHILD PORNOGRAPHY IN SURREY

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Epsom and the wider Surrey area, Derek Hudson, a 54-year-old music teacher, has been found guilty of multiple serious charges involving the sexual abuse of young boys and the possession of indecent images of children. The court proceedings revealed a pattern of misconduct that spanned over two years, beginning in August 2002, and involved five boys aged between 10 and 11 years old, at two separate schools in Surrey, which have not been publicly named due to legal restrictions.

Hudson, who was also a professional musician in his earlier career, was accused of engaging in inappropriate and sexualized behavior during private, one-on-one music lessons with the young students. The misconduct was brought to light in December of the previous year when a colleague observed Hudson in an inappropriate act, specifically sliding his hand down a pupil’s back. This observation prompted an investigation that ultimately uncovered a disturbing pattern of abuse.

Following the allegations, police officers executed a search of Hudson’s residence on Rowden Road in Epsom. During the search, they seized his computer equipment, which analysis later revealed contained over 4,000 indecent images of children under the age of 16. These images were stored on his personal computers, highlighting a significant level of premeditation and involvement in the distribution or possession of child exploitation material.

At Guildford Crown Court, Hudson pleaded guilty to nine counts of indecent assault, acknowledging his inappropriate conduct towards the young boys. Additionally, he admitted to ten counts related to the downloading and storing of indecent images. The court heard that the assaults involved five boys, and the abuse had been ongoing for nearly two years.

Judge Michael Addison sentenced Hudson to six months in prison for his sexual offenses. Furthermore, he ordered that Hudson be registered as a sex offender for a period of seven years, a measure intended to monitor and prevent further offenses. Although Hudson was suspended from his teaching position immediately after his arrest, he only formally resigned from his role on the day he was sentenced, last Wednesday.

Detective Inspector Mark Daughters praised the efforts of his team in securing the conviction. He emphasized that the case demonstrated the effectiveness of Surrey’s vetting procedures, stating, “The local education authority is doing a very good job in ensuring Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks are in place. The message, after offences like these, which are very damaging to the victims, would be that there ought to be more compliance from voluntary groups or sports organisations in taking responsibility to make checks.”

In a broader move to combat online child exploitation, Surrey Police announced the establishment of a dedicated unit tasked with targeting online sex offenders. This case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in protecting vulnerable children from predators both offline and online.